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Archives for May 2017

Mystery Monday For May 8th

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Well this one must have bee  pretty easy, as about 75 of you got it right! So we randomly drew a name from the correct answers  and Mike Sievers, watch your mailbox, because you’re our winer of Rapid Fired Pizza!

Lookout Tower – the highest point in the city – during the Great Dayton Flood of 1913, it became a place of refuge. Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio, is one of the oldest “garden” cemeteries in the United States. Incorporated in 1842, the cemetery began with 40 acres southeast of Dayton and has been enlarged to its present size of 200 acres.

 

Now who can correctly identify the subject of this picture below?  If you know the location of this photo enter it here:  http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48


We’ll be back next week to tell you more about this photo and tell you our winner!

Iconic Ohio Amish Shop Turns 40

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There’s still the clickety-clack all along Wheat Ridge Road in West Union, Ohio where Miller’s Bakery, Furniture and Bulk Foods is located. The bustling Amish community that formed here decades ago simply became known as the Wheat Ridge Amish. Those early families who settled along this sprawling, peaceful, rolling countryside included a young couple, Harry and Lydia Miller, and their children. The year was 1977.

The Miller family farmed their land, but what they really loved to do as a family was bake. Before long, this family of eight was turning out pies left and right for their neighbors, friends and friends of friends from an overworked oven inside of their modest farmhouse. Word spread and before Harry and Lydia knew it, they were in the baking business.  

Harry and his sons would return from trips to Amish-country in Northeast Ohio with some pieces of Amish-made furniture built by friends to sell. Just like the bakery, folks wanted more. Soon thereafter, a furniture business was running alongside the bakery. Over the years, the Miller family branched out across their 300 acre farm. Eventually, they built a 34,000 square foot building just to showcase their furniture offerings. Outside they added outdoor furniture, barns, playsets and more. In addition, they built a separate building for their bakery and another one for their bulk foods store.

Today, the Miller family is in its third generation. Most of Harry and Lydia’s children run things now. Daniel is at the furniture store, Larry at the bakery, and Harry Jr. at the bulk foods store, complete with a deli counter and seating. Malinda helps too. The other two sons, Gerold and David, come back often to visit. All together, the six children have provided Harry and Lydia with more than 20 grandkids. Many of them also help out with the family business. Things at Miller’s should be in good hands for generations to come, God willing.

Throughout the rest of 2017, the Millers have special events planned to thank customers for their blessings of being in business for so long.

  • May 13, 2017: Mother’s Day Weekend – Miller’s 40th Anniversary featuring free cake, ice cream and more. 
  • May 26, 27 & 29, 2017 (closed on the 28th): Memorial Day Weekend Storewide Sale offers 10% off all items in stock at furniture store only (excluding outdoor building and gazebos and select bedroom sets).
  • September 1, 2 & 4, 2017 (closed on the 3rd): Labor Day Weekend Sale offers 10 percent off all items in stock at furniture store only. Excludes all outdoor buildings, gazebos and select bedroom sets. It is recommended to order early for Christmas.
  • September 2, 2017 (Labor Day Weekend): The 20th Annual Amish School Benefit Cookout. The menu includes hamburgers, hot dogs, noodles, Chip’s fresh pie, homemade ice cream, coffee and soft drinks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR4zKC7lLLQ

  • October 7, 2017: The 40th Annual Miller’s Anniversary Customer Appreciation Day. Visitors get a free Miller’s calendar for the upcoming year complete with sales dates and special event dates. The menu includes BBQ chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, fresh pie, homemade ice cream, coffee and soft drinks.
  • October 13, 14 and 15: Wheat Ridge Old Thyme Herb Fair & Harvest Celebration is 10am – 6pm at 817 Tater Ridge Road in West Union, Ohio. For more info, call 937-544-8252.
  • November 24 & 25, 2017: Storewide Thanksgiving Sale offering 10 percent off all items in stock (furniture store only).
  • December 23, (not the 24th or 25th) 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 2017: The End of Year Clearance Sale! This includes free coffee and cookies at the bakery and free cheese and candy samples at the Bulk Foods Store. Get 10 percent off all items in stock (furniture store only). 

Many people travel near and far to visit scenic Southwest Ohio Appalachian Country and to shop at Miller’s Bakery, Furniture and Bulk Foods. It’s known as destination shopping. There’s even a picnic pavilion to relax and breathe in the fresh air. You can plan your pilgrimage at WheatRidgeAmish.com or by calling 937-544-8524. Miller’s stores are open Monday through Saturday (Always Closed on Sunday) from 9am – 5pm.

Service with a smile – it’s not something from Yesteryear. It’s this year and every day, always at Millers!

Marvel Ups The Ante, Fun with Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

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“You thought someone else was going to open a movie this weekend against us?! Fool – we’re gonna be no. 1 for weeks!” Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) laugh in the presence of Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) in a scene from James Gunn’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, VOL. 2. Credit: © 2017 Marvel Studios. All rights reserved. 
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE (RED BAND TRAILER – NOT SAFE FOR WORK!):


 

 



KEY CAST MEMBERS: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Kurt Russell, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Michael Rooker, Elizabeth Debicki, Karen Gillian and Chris Sullivan

WRITER(S): James Gunn (screenplay); Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (based on the Marvel Comics by); Steve Englehart, Steve Gan, Jim Starlin, Stan Lee, Jacky Kirby, Larry Lieber, Bill Mantlo and Keith Geffen (characters)

DIRECTOR(S): James Gunn

WEB SITE: http://marvel.com/movies/movie/221/guardians_of_the_galaxy_vol_2HERE’S THE STORY: Taking place some time after the events of the first film, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 actually begins with a flashback to life in 1980’s Missouri. It’s here that we see a young man and woman cruising in the t-top sportscar, riding down the open highway enjoy life as they listen to a collection of awesome tunes. It’s here where we see the man embrace the woman, showing her something that her “starman” has planted in the earth …


Flashing back to the present, we find our familiar heroes Peter Quill a.k.a. Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and a baby form of the humanoid tree Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) fighting a huge space creature. It seems they have been hired by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) to return a very special set of batteries to her people, the Sovereign. Obsessed with perfection, the gold-skinned, gold haired society is quite notably upset once it comes to their attention that Rocket has in fact stolen said batteries for himself, prompting Ayesha to lead a call to chase them down and eliminate the Guardians. And once Ayesha reachers out to Yondu (Michael Rooker), he and the rest of his Ravager buddies are hot on their trail …  


Much to everyone’s surprise, however, is the unexpected help that comes in the form of a man later revealed to be known as Ego (Kurt Russell), a mysterious entity accompanied by Mantis (Pom Klementieff), an antennae’d woman with great empathic powers. But why has Ego traveled across the galaxy looking for the Guardians, Quill in particular? The answer may change the Marvel Universe as you know it forever …

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Fans of Guardians of the Galaxy (the movie); fans of the Marvel Studios’ films in general; Chris Pratt fans; people who like superhero movies with a good mix of comedy and action

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People who hate alterations to characters like Ayesha’s comic book origins stories; those with short attention spans given the film’s 2 hour-plus runtime 


SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? When you leave a movie thinking “What else could audiences want from that movie?,” it’s probably a good sign you’ve seen a really good movie. And unless your thought process is extremely out of whack, the only other thought one should have about seeing Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 is “I can’t wait to see what they have left for Vol. 3.” 


Vol. 2 delivers all of the risqué, perfectly-timed humor, creative action sequences and dynamic character interplay of the first film (the screen never feels too crowded with characters), but ups the ante with more development of the characters and how their backstories have modeled them into who they are today. This, in turn, enhances the great relationships between the characters –Vol. 2 shows the idea of what constitutes a family to a bunch of rogue misfits isn’t limited to just a bunch of earthbound characters in Diesel’s other “furious” franchise – which is the element that continues to shine in Marvel’s films: Whereas the D.C. films have characters with great powers, Marvel’s power lies in great, fully developed and interesting characters. 


Of course, you can’t have any of that without great individual performances – and Vol. 2 features a cast that works together like the 1996 Yankees, for every player has a role and knows their role quite well. Whether it’s leads like Pratt as a young man coming to grips with his reality as the star-crossed (pun intended) Peter Quill or Saldana and Karen Gillian as a pair of sisters with the ultimate sibling rivalry, bit players like Chris Sullivan – who is the butt of a hilariously savage series of jokes as would-be Ravager leader Taserface – to the point no one feels like a wasted opportunity. Writer/director James Gunn likewise effectively guides his cast as well to set up all of the films twists and turns, mixing in another awesome soundtrack to create what might already be the best movie of the summer. 


Here’s to hoping Vol. 3 expands the galaxy even more.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Free Treats For Nurses At Cinnabon

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Cinnabon will once again be showing its appreciation for nurses nationwide by offering free Cinnabon treats as part of the brand’s National Nurses Week giveaway from May 6, through May 12, 2017. 
Free Treats For Nurses At Cinnabon From May 6 Through May 12, 2017
Free Treats For Nurses At Cinnabon From May 6 Through May 12, 2017

During the promotion, participating Cinnabon locations will be offering nurses their choice of a free Cinnabon Classic Roll, MiniBon, or a four-count of the newest treat, BonBites. In order to take advantage of the free offer, nurses will be required to show their medical ID badge.

While no purchase is necessary, there is a limit of one free Cinnabon treat per nursing professional, per visit, while supplies last.

Since 2000, Cinnabon has been supporting The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation, an organization that was created to say ‘thank you’ to nurses for the extraordinary compassionate care they provide.

Now You Can Own A Hamilton Dixon Original

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Photo by Bill Franz

Metal sculptor Hamilton Dixon has created some very impressive sculptures in town like the railings in the Dayton Art Institute Rotunda, at the Boston Stoker at the airport, the University of Dayton Serenity Pines, and many other public and private installations around the region and the country.

 

He began working with metal on an off-shore oil rig in the 1980’s. He decided he liked working with metal but he didn’t like life on an oil rig, so he went to forging school in New Mexico .He attended Turley Forge School in Santa Fe, where he learned basic techniques in forging steel.  In 1991 Dixon established himself her in Datyon and has thrived here as a full-time artist ever since.

Dayton Art Institute Rotunda, photo by Bill Franz.

Hamilton has chosen metal as his medium because of its weight, texture and permanence. While Hamilton’s process may be similar to that of an old-world blacksmith, his style is decidedly contemporary.

Hamilton says, “my greatest joy comes at the beginning of the project – the design step.  I love deciding how to make pieces of steel look like a flowing, organic thing.”

Dixon has also made some pretty incredible jewelry, I actually have one of his forged Sterling Silver bracelets which I adore.  And now you, too can own a piece of his jewelry. He will be making a round of bracelets for the next 2 months before starting on his next commission. You can stop by his shop to order directly from him, or you can order from his Etsy Page , (stopping by his shop includes a shop tour)  in case you’d like to get one of these Dayton Originals.  Currently available he has about 7 bracelet designs and 3 pendants ranging in price from $180 to $400.  Or you can always commission your very own piece.
To see more of Hamilton’s work, stop into his studio at 811 E. Third Street Dayton, Ohio 45402.

Ickey Shuffles into Dayton May 8th

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Monday May 8, 2017 Golf Outing

Monday May 8th, former Cincinnati Bengal star, Ickey Woods, shuffles into the Dayton area for charity, and he needs your help.  It is for a cause named after his late son, Jovante, who succumbed to a severe asthma attack during his high school years.

The Jovante Woods Foundation is hosting an event at NCR Country Club called “Fairways for Airways” to benefit a cure research for Asthma and help promote awareness of the dangers of the condition.

Food Adventures is proud to be a small part of this event.  We look forward to a fun day of golf with friends and celebs.

Ickey Woods

Archer’s Tavern, Boyle Mechanical, Dayton Freight are the major sponsors of the event.  The 2017 Fairways for Airways Celebrity Golf Outing on the South Course of the NCR Country Club is the 2nd annual event for this cause. The weather forecast is calling for clear skies with little to no chance for rain.  Temperatures should be in the high 50s for the noon shotgun start and the low 60s during most of the outing. Perfect Golf Weather.  There is still time for you to sign up for this one of a kind experience.

Each foursome will be paired with a celebrity for a round of golf.

In the past, former Reds, Bengals and Buckeye stars have been participating.  Former appearances have included James Brooks, Tom Browning, Archie Griffin, Jim Breech, Pete Johnson, Yancy Thigpen, Andy Harmon, Dmitri Young, Barney Bussey, Steve Caminiti, Richard Carey, Doug Pelfrey, Dan Wilkinson, Eric Shaw, Ernie Mills, Eric Thomas, Frank Minnifield, Lonzell Hill,  Joe Kelly, Robert Jackson, Kanavis Mcghee, Katie Blackburn, Michael Wiley

 and of course Ickey himself…

Event to be at NCR Country Club 5/8/17 9:30am

Registration and the driving range open at 9:30am. You are encouraged to register as soon as you arrive.

Buckeye Vodka is hosting the Buckeye Bloody Mary Bar beginning at 10:00 A.M. All vodka drinks are compliments of Dayton’s very own Buckeye Vodka!

A lunch buffet will be served beginning at 10:30.

Throughout the event, bottled water and sports drinks will be available compliments of US Foods.

Complimentary (and outstanding) beer will be available thanks to the beer sponsor, Lock 27 Brewing.

A familiar face to Dayton area Charities, Dan Apolito of Archer’s

There is a fantastic silent auction throughout the day featuring some very impressive sports memorabilia, a US Flag flown over the capital building donated by Congressman Mike Turner and Sharon Lowery, a day of fly fishing with Ickey Woods, an impressive basket from Buckeye Vodka and some great golf gear and summer gadgets from Heidelberg Distributing.

After the round of golf, mingle, swap stories and snap some pictures with former college and professional football, baseball and basketball greats. This truly is an event you will never forget, and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

LAST MINUTE SIGNUP – email [email protected]  The cost is $1,500 per foursome.

 

Archer’s Tavern is one of the major sponsors of “Fairways for Airways” Celeb outing

Thanks again to Dan Apolito, owner of Archer’s Tavern and Ickey Woods for setting everything up. The Food Adventures Crew looks forward to slinging some beers and swinging some clubs for charity.

We hope you can make it last minute if you are interested, but the sooner you contact Dan, the better chance you have of getting a spot.

For more of the best events and food in Dayton, follow Food Adventures on Facebook HERE.  All original content with no rules!  Love to eat Dayton’s best?  You’ve found your foodie paradise !

 

Ickey doing the shuffle for cold cuts ….

Beavercreek Fusian Grand Opening Benefits FiveRivers Metroparks

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When communities come together, we all win. join us for our Grand Opening any time between 11am and 10pm on May 6th for a meal you can feel extra good about.  100% of profits on this day will benefit the Five Rivers Metroparks Foundation, which supports the Five Rivers MetroParks in its mission to protect the region’s

Dayton’s Bike Share Program Turns Two

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Today marks the second year since Link: Dayton Bike docked its first bike in 2015. Link users took more than 30,600 trips in 2016 and burned more than 1,700,000 calories. Since its launch in 2015, Link users have taken more than 65,000 trips and have attracted more than 8,000 unique users to the system.

 

Link grew from 24 stations to 27 in 2016, adding stations at Tech Town, the Montgomery County Job Center and at the Greater Dayton RTA Longworth Campus. The community also saw growth in the number of bike lanes on Warren Street and East Fifth Street, opening up new connections between Link stations.

 

New this year, Link is offering a membership type that offers hour trips – Annual Plus. Other perks of the membership include the opportunity for name recognition on a bike and a swag item from Link. “We’re excited to offer this new membership to our customers that want to chip in a little more to help us sustain and grow the program,” says Bike Miami Valley executive director Laura Estandia. “Annual Plus gives us the opportunity to recognize them and offer some perks in thanks.”

 

Birthday on Saturday, May 13th at Fifth Street Brewpub from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. The pub is tapping a special brew in celebration of Link’s Birthday dubbed Pedal Power.
Link will celebrate its 2nd“We’ve brewed a gose beer for Link,” says Brewmaster Darren Link. “Yes, Link is my last name, so I’ve always had an affinity for the bikes. The beer we’re brewing will be brewed with hops, orange peel and coriander. The hops have a salty flavor so it will be reminiscent of drinking a Gatorade.”

 

Link is looking forward to a great first weekend of May with the launch of the River Run project downtown and the arrival of more than 600 International Trail Symposium attendees. “We’re excited to give those attending the conference an easy, convenient way to get around downtown,” says Estandia, “We’re kicking Bike Month off in a big way this year!”

 

Soft Rock Cafe to host Memorial Event, Sat. May 6th

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The Skylar Kooken Memorial Fund will be the beneficiary of an event at Soft Rock Cafe this Saturday featuring a live band, raffles, silent auctions and more.  The memorial fund has raised over $20,000 in past years, all of which went to local scholarships.

The event is in memory of Skylar Kooken, who passed away in a fatal car crash in 2012 where 3 lives were lost.  This weekend would have been her 21st birthday.

The fundraiser starts at 8pm and lasts until 2am.  There will be live music from local band “Hey There Morgan.”  There will also be raffle prizes, 50/50 raffles, silent auction prizes, and more.  Here is the scoop on how you can help this worthy cause.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON THE SKYLAR KOOKEN MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER:

WHAT: A celebration of a life, with the fundraising for local scholarships

WHAT ELSE: Live band “Hey There Morgan”

WHEN: SATURDAY MAY 6, 2017  – doors open at 8pm

WHERE: SOFT ROCK CAFE – 877 E. Franklin St, Centerville, Ohio 45459

COST: $5 suggested donation at the door

 

The Big Ragu will be on hand, and we hope to see you at the event !!!

Stay tuned to all of our Food Adventure events.

Opening Day for Sweet Prince Deli & Treat Co.

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Chef Candace Rinke sent us a note to remind us that today was the first day of her new business.  Named after her affectionate name for her son, the Sweet Prince Deli & Treat Co. is closer to what her original business plan was over seven years ago when she was entering the business.     Though the signage outside still says Hawthorn Grill (she told me her new signs should be arriving today) we stopped by to check it out.  Let’s just say this is a work in progress.  Chef also shared she’ll be adding some sofa’s and soft seating for guests to feel comfortable in.

It’s a little more casual than Hawthorn Grill was and they’ll be serving up breakfast and lunch, seven days a week from 7am – 4pm.  Staff were busily training to make cappuccino and latte’s and there’s a new pastry case that’s the first thing you see upon arrival.  Bagels (baked fresh from Rahn’s Artisan Breads) were available on top of the case and homemade dutch apple pie, and maple bourbon pecan pies, as well as  blueberry crumb muffins and orange cranberry scones.

The sandwich menu had about 5 dozen offerings, ranging from about $7 – $13, as well as mushroom, tomato soup and white bean chicken chili.  Eight salads from an Albuquerque Cobb to a simple tossed salad are available as well as homemade cookies and cakes.

Starting tomorrow, they’ll be filling growlers for $5 to purge their current inventory of draft beer.  Choose from Rhinegeist Truth, Stella, Yeungling, Sam Adams Hospcape or DB Batty Wompus.

She also share she has some great wines on the  soon to be defunct Wine List! Chef invites you to stop by to purchase some clearance bottles – while supplies last!

Candace also shared menus for catering are coming, so stay tuned.

Luminaries of Dayton: Woodland Tours and Events 2017

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Have your ever visited the cemetery to take a tour? If no, why not? Woodland Cemetery is one of the best and most beautiful cemeteries in Dayton and Ohio and the nation. Here, you can see a great view from the Lookout Tower, study the architecture of the family mausoleums, explore the geology of the grounds, learn about Dayton’s history, discover the cemetery art work on stones more than 175 years old and so much more. There is never any fee to enter and all of the tours are free and open to the public. Bring your bike or wear a good pair of walking shoes and explore for yourself the timeless beauty that is Woodland Cemetery.

Spring Migration Bird Walk
Saturday, May 13, 2017 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Let’s Talk Trees Arboretum Tour
Wednesday’s: May 17, June 14, July 12, August 16, September 13 and October 11
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Woodland Historic Tour
June 14 and 24, July 12 and 22, August 16 and 26, September 13 and 23, October 11 and 21
Tours begin at 10:00 am

History, Mystery, Mayhem and Murder Tour
Thursday’s at 5:30 pm: June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21
Saturday’s at 10:00 am: June 24, July 22, August 19, September 16
Evening Lantern Tours beginning at 6:30 pm: October 3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26

Faith and Friends Radio Broadcast and Walking Tour
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Bill and Melody will be broadcasting live from Woodland Cemetery from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Then join them for the Women of Woodland walking tour at 6:30 pm.

 

Woof Walk
Saturday, August 5
Tours begin at 9:00 and 10:30 am

Discover Woodland Days
Sunday, October 1
Tours begin at 12:00, 12:30 and 1:00 pm

Dayton Metro Library Programs

Early Brewers of Dayton
Northmont Library in Englewood
Monday, May 15, 2017 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Call 937-463-2665 for more information

Doctors of Dayton
Kettering – Moraine Library
Tuesday, June 20, 2017 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Call 937-496-8939 for more information

Cemetery Symbols and Representations
Wilmington – Stroop Library
Monday, July 17, 2017 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Call 937-496-8891 for more information

Cemetery Symbols and Representations
Northmont Library in Englewood
Thursday, August 10, 2017 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Call 937-463-2665 for more information

Street Names of Dayton
Kettering – Moraine Library
Tuesday, August 22, 2017 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Call 937-496-8939 for more information

Tours and programs are free and open to the public. Reservations are required for all tours at the cemetery. Please call 937-228-3221. For more information about tours and programs at Woodland and in the community, click here to visit our website. Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the UD campus. All tours start at the front gates on Woodland Avenue.

Volunteers Needed! 

Woodland is seeking volunteers to lead tours and present programs to the public. If you like history and enjoy walking through the cemetery call us now for immediate training. Not interested in leading a tour, we have other positions as well: historical research and helping to plan out new tours, assisting with special events, public speaking engagements, researching family histories, sewing costumes for special events, researching and tagging trees and plants in the arboretum, office work, etc.

For more information on these or any of our volunteer activities, please contact Debra Mescher at 937-228-3221 or [email protected].

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s five oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio as you will see as you read through this new MostMetro.com series. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the UD Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland website.

Eight Events For Outdoor Enthusiasts This May

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The community is invited to enjoy an entire month of outdoor events hosted across greater Dayton this May. Kicking off with the grand opening of RiverScape River Run, the Cycling Summit and the season’s first Pickin’ in the Park at RiverScape MetroPark, events throughout the month will spark a sense of adventure in people of all ages and interests.

 

 

May is also National Bike Month, with events and rides for cycling enthusiasts throughout the month, including the Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast at RiverScape MetroPark on May 19.

 

Miami Valley Cycling Summit: Friday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wright State University Student Union

This free event provides the public a chance to learn more about the past, present and future of cycling in the Miami Valley. Guests can enjoy influential speakers, engaging breakout sessions and motivation discussions. Registration is required and available at www.cyclingsummit.com on a first come, first served basis.

 

Grand Opening of RiverScape River Run: Friday, May 5, at 4:30 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark

Hosted by the Downtown Dayton Partnership, the grand opening of the RiverScape River Run will feature an official ribbon cutting, sponsor recognition and paddling demonstrations.

 

RiverScape River Run increases accessibility to the Great Miami River and adds vibrancy to the downtown Dayton area. Two structures that span the river were built, each with two chutes: one novice and one advanced chute. People also can fish, sunbathe and enjoy the river downtown in new ways, with access all the way to the river through an ADA-accessible grouted rock structure.

 

Those in attendance are invited to Pickin’ in the Park at the RiverScape Pavilion immediately following the grand opening.

 

Pickin’ in the Park: Friday, May 5, 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark

Guests are welcome to enjoy an evening of progressive bluegrass music under the RiverScape Pavilion during the season’s first Pickin’ in the Park. This free, all-ages event features music by Casey Campbell, Slippery Creek and The Tillers. Delicious bites from local food trucks and craft beer will also be available for purchase.

 

Fitness in the Park

Starting Saturday, May 6 and continuing throughout the summer, free exercise sessions are held most Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Participants should bring their own water bottles and towels or mats. Classes rotate between Zumba and yoga, and the class schedule is online at www.metroparks.org/RiverScape.

 

International Trail Symposium’s Public Event: Sunday, May 7, noon to 5 p.m. at the Dayton Convention Center

Outdoor adventurers, students and families are invited to enjoy and entire afternoon of all things trails during this free event. Visitors can explore the Symposium exhibit hall, relax in the camping area, learn about trails, hit the indoor climbing wall, listen to presentations, check out the University of Dayton’s Rivermobile and much more. The day culminates with a screening of Trail Magic: The Grandma Gatewood Story, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Dayton Convention Center Theatre. Visit www.americantrails.org/symposium for more information.

 

Sponsored by American Trails, the biennial International Trail Symposium is the premier opportunity for the worldwide trails community to gather and explore local trails, network and engage in educational workshops.

 

Those interested in attending the entire three-day International Trail Symposium—happening May 7 through 10—can register online at www.americantrails.org/symposium. The International Trails Symposium’s public event is sponsored by the State of Ohio Department of Transportation and DP&L.

 

Trails Rock Party: Monday, May 8, 7 – 11 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark

This event features live music, food trucks and craft beer in celebration of all things trails. Guests can meet fellow outdoor adventurers and trails enthusiasts from around the world, as they spend the evening partying in the park with attendees of the International Trail Symposium. Free to the public, this event features music from regional favorites, The Sly Band, a live auction and more.

Proceeds from craft beer sales support local nonprofit organizations, Bike Miami Valley and the Buckeye Trail Association.

 

GO W/ THE FLOW: Bike Week Edition: Monday, May 15, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark

National Bike to Work Week will kick off with largest gathering of outdoor yoga in Dayton, led by Tori Reynolds and Ben Rivet. Power Vinyasa yoga is geared for all experience levels and builds whole-body strength, flexibility and mental focus. Participants are welcome to ride their bikes to the event and earn prizes. This free event is offered to people of all ages. Registration is requested and can be completed online by visiting www.metroparks.org/fitness.

Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast: Friday, May 19, 7 to 9 a.m. at RiverScape MetroPark

National Bike Week culminates with the region’s largest National Bike Month celebration, the Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast, presented by Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. Five Rivers MetroParks hosts nearly 600 cyclists for a morning of live music, pancakes, exhibitors, entertainment and much more. Businesses, organizations and community groups are encouraged to enter the team challenge prior to the event for a chance to win prizes.

 

 

 

Sculptures on the Square – Las Bicicletas

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Throughout the months of May, June and July, Troy Main Street will present the eighth installment of Sculptures on the Square featuring LAS BICICLETAS, Urban Art from Mexico to the World. These colorful steel sculptures will grace Duke Park, Treasure Island, the bike path along the Great Miami River, and the sidewalks of downtown Troy. The exhibit has visited, and was well received, in Chicago, New York City, Williamsburg, Va., and Washington, D.C., as well as major cities throughout Mexico.

Aceves Navarro, who is in his 80s, has said in previous interviews that the bicycles are “vehicles of happiness and health.”

Mayor Michael Beamish thanked the artists for coming to Troy and thanked committee members for bringing another unique sculpture exhibit to Troy.

“It’s a great international exhibit that we continue to bring with our Sculptures on the Square Committee and all their efforts,” Beamish said. “We look at what would be a good fit for our community. We are a bike friendly community and this is a perfect fit to kick off the spring and summer season.”

Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission CEO Brian Martin joined the celebration, reminding the crowd that May is National Bicycle Month and said the exhibit fit perfect with next month’s theme.

“I’m sure you’ll have many visitors here in Troy and we’ll be helping spread the word,” Martin said.

Troy City Council recently passed its “Complete Streets” program, which will seek to make alternative transportation like cycling more user friendly in the city limits.

Troy will also host the “Tour de Donut” cycling tour with a sweet twist as cyclists travel to stations and enjoy doughnuts along the trail. The event will take place on Sat, September 16th .

Sculptures on the Square is a biennial public art exhibit in downtown Troy made possible by grants from the Troy Foundation and Robinson Fund, partnership with the city of Troy, and the generosity of individual and corporate donors.

For more information, call Troy Main Street at (937) 339-5455, or visit www.troymainstreet.org.

‘Nashville’ Stars At The Rose Music Center

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Stars of the hit CMT series “Nashville” will embark on a fourth U.S. concert tour this summer, including a stop at Rose Music Center in Huber Heights, OH on Sunday, July 30th. The 11 show U.S. tour comes on the heels of a highly successful 10-show international tour that has already sold out multiple concerts in the UK and Ireland. Launching July 23 in Orlando, FL, the tour is set to feature cast members Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten, and Jonathan Jackson. Esten was just announced as the host of the upcoming “2017 CMT Music Awards.” Tour stops will feature songs from the series as well as the artists’ original material.

Photo Credit: Liz Ramanand, Taste Of Country

“This tour has become a celebration of everything fans around the world appreciate about the TV series ‘Nashville,’” said Opry Entertainment President Steve Buchanan. “Our audience loves the stories the series tells and the music used to tell them. The tour brings our storytellers, their music, and fans together in a way that gets more exciting to witness every year, both internationally and here at home.”

The second half of Season 5 of “Nashville” is set to premiere on CMT on Thursday, June 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with Season 6 of the series scheduled to begin airing in early 2018.

“Nashville” airs in 225 territories worldwide, including the United Kingdom. In its fifth season in the U.S., the series has been a record-breaker for CMT, where episodes have become the network’s most-watched original series telecasts ever. Since its debut, the show has inspired multiple “Music of Nashville” soundtracks as well as a Christmas album, collectively selling more than a million soundtracks and millions more single tracks to date.

ABOUT NASHVILLE

Now in its fifth season, the fan-favorite hit series “Nashville” is set against the backdrop of the city’s music scene and follows the lives of country music superstars as well as the up-and-coming performers and songwriters trying to get ahead in the business. Music City can mean so many things to different people. In “Nashville,” musicians and songwriters are at the heart of the storm, driven by their own ambitions. Some are fueled by their creativity and passion for fame. Others struggle to cope with the pressures of success and are doing everything in their power to stay on top.

Tickets for the Huber Heights show will go on sale to the public beginning 11:00am on Friday, May 5that www.Ticketmaster.com, www.Rosemusiccenter.com, and the Rose Music Center box office. Charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000. *

3 Tips for Menu Planning Your Next Party

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That’s me on the left with my sister.

Derby Day is just around the corner and I obviously don’t care about horse races, but I do care about booze and accessorizing, which means I am throwing a Derby party.  I’vevorite parts of throwing a party.  Keeping a few of my menu planning tips in mind, you are sure to plan a seamless soiree, where you might actually be able to (gasp!) enjoy yourself got a hat picked out and my bar is stocked with bourbon, so I’m halfway there to planning the perfect party.  The only thing I have left to do is plan a menu.  Menu planning is one of my favorite parts of throwing a party.  Keeping a few of my menu planning tips in mind, you are sure to plan a seamless soiree, where you might actually be able to (gasp!) enjoy yourself!

 

  • Factor In The Clock

What type of party are you trying to throw?  If you’re planning on an evening event and want your friends to come over at 7:00, then you better plan for them to be hungry for dinner.  Not sure you want to serve them a full meal?  Plan an 8:30 start time instead.  My upcoming party starts at 2:00, so I’m past the lunch hour and can plan for smaller snacks rather than hearty, filling treats.  The fact of the matter is, if there is food laid out, people will eat.  However, you can control the time you spend prepping, and the amount of money that you spend on food by booking your party outside of regular meal time hours.  At the risk of sounding cheap, I often plan parties outside of typical hours.  If you’re buying some pre-cut cheese and sandwiches, then by all means, throw a noon-time party.  But if you’re like me, and you’re cooking and prepping every single item,  starting outside the lunchtime box means you can cut yourself some cooking slack.

  • Variety is the Spice of…well, your party

Make sure you make a broad range of snacks to suit all tastes and dietary restrictions.  My guest list consists of more than a few vegetarians, so I want to make sure I have snacks that are enjoyable and satisfying.  You can’t go wrong with a cheese board, but also, how many parties have you been to with a cheese board?  How about a smoked salmon board or a roasted veggie platter instead?  I like to switch it up once in awhile, keeping seasonality in mind.  Asparagus is popping up all over, so how about a chilled orzo pasta salad with grape tomatoes, asparagus and ricotta salata?  Your favorite fruit is in season?  Toast some baguette, spread mascarpone cheese across it, throw on those berries, a wisp of honey and a slice of prosciutto.  Get your assembly line going, it’s easy and different…and different is good for you.

  • End On a Sweet Note

No matter what time of the day you host your party, you should have something sweet to end the meal.  As Julia Child once said “A party without cake is just a meeting.”  I’m not suggesting you HAVE to make a cake (although, I’ve been working on mastering one, recipe to come later!)  but it’s nice to have something sweet for your guests.  If you’re not a baker, don’t stress about it.  You could honestly throw some peanut M&M’s in a bowl and call it a day.  Just make sure you keep that bowl filled!  In my opinion there are two ways to celebrate, with chocolate or with champagne, so don’t let your party go without either.  This is another great way to work with the seasons.  In winter think peppermint, in fall deep dark chocolatey flavors, but in spring and summer, I like to go with citrus.  I rarely come across a person in life who doesn’t like lemon bars, and my favorite recipe is from the New York Times made with olive oil and sea salt.  It has the delightful bite of lemon curd, and doesn’t cover it up with confectioners sugar.  Instead, the salt enhances and balances the tart lemon.  It’s a sophisticated twist on a classic, and the perfect last bite at a party.


Obviously, there is more that comes with planning a menu, but these are a few simple tips to get you started.  Then you get to make your shopping and prep lists (which the ODC part of my lives for!)  The more you plan, the easier each party gets and the more time you get to enjoy the company of your friends.  Cheers and Ciao!

Melt Sets Opening Day In June

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The previously announced eighth MELT location will open in Dayton this summer at The Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek, Ohio, just east of Dayton off  I-675. The all-new location will feature approximately 5,000 square feet of a relaxing yet energetic environment, cold beer and grilled cheese awesomeness.

What is MELT?

Melt Monte Cristo

Simply put, Melt Bar & Grilled was born from Cleveland musician and chef Matt Fish’s love of two things: great craft beer and the humble grilled cheese sandwich. Where most people saw a quick meal comprised of two common kitchen staples, Matt envisioned much more… “comfort food, all dressed up,” as he put it. The impetus for Melt’s selection of gourmet grilled cheese was to bring classic American dishes to the table in an unpretentious, truly unique and fun way.

What had been the best-kept secret in Cleveland was soon thrust into the national spotlight, as Melt caught the attention of hot television series Man vs. Food and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, both of whom filmed what would be among their most-watched episodes at the flourishing Lakewood haunt… and as the buzz grew, so did demand — and quickly. Locals were lined up out the door. Out-of-towners were adjusting their travel routes just to see what all the fuss was about. Check out the website which features video’s for their sandwiches, like the one below.

The Dayton Melt opening is planned for Monday, June 12th, and a staff hiring fair will be on-site at the new location on Monday, May 8th through Saturday, May 12th. They will be looking for Hosts, Servers, Bartenders, Line Cooks and Dishwashers to play a big part in our new location opening. Interested? Complete an online application prior to the hiring fair.